(19)
(11) EP 1 345 179 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
21.01.2004 Bulletin 2004/04

(43) Date of publication A2:
17.09.2003 Bulletin 2003/38

(21) Application number: 03004824.3

(22) Date of filing: 05.03.2003
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06T 15/70
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO

(30) Priority: 13.03.2002 JP 2002068099

(71) Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Kadoma-shi, Osaka 571-8501 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Mochizuki, Yoshiyuki
    Suita-shi, Osaka 564-0025 (JP)
  • Orimoto, Katsunori
    Neyagawa-shi, Osaka 572-0055 (JP)
  • Hijiri, Toshiki
    Hirakata-shi, Osaka 573-0071 (JP)
  • Uesaki, Akira
    Takatsuki-shi, Osaka 569-1031 (JP)
  • Asahara, Shigeo
    Ikeda-shi, Osaka 563-0037 (JP)

(74) Representative: Pautex Schneider, Nicole et al
Novagraaf Internatinal SA 25, Avenue du Pailly
1220 Les Avanchets - Geneva
1220 Les Avanchets - Geneva (CH)

   


(54) Method and apparatus for computer graphics animation


(57) An animation control unit 1 specifies shape data, hierarchical structure data, a group table, and state information. A character state calculating unit 3 obtains the specified shape data from a shape data storing unit 5, the hierarchical structure data from a hierarchical structure storing unit 4, and the group table from a table storing unit 2. The character state calculating unit 3 also obtains motion data shown in the specified state information from a motion data storing unit 6 and specifies, from the obtained motion data, motion data identified by each group number. In accordance with the obtained hierarchical structure data, the character state calculating unit 3 corrects the shape data by using the specified motion data. A three-dimensional rendering unit 7 renders the corrected shape data to generate an image, and a display unit 9 displays the generated image.






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